I am an intervention specialist who works with a small caseload of students who have behavioral or mental health challenges. They're simply amazing. Many of my students take medication that makes it very difficult to remain at a healthy weight. Exercise and yoga can help them manage their moods.
My school is in an urban setting that serves children from kindergarten to eighth grade, and I have all ages on my caseload.
The students are all on free/reduced meals, as we work with children in poverty. All of our students participate in fitness or martial arts daily. However, my students prefer dancing!
Many of my students are very overweight, in part due to medication for their illnesses. Each morning we meet and discuss behavior goals. One reward they all agree on is dance time!
Most of my students have extreme difficulty remaining in the academic learning environment all eight hours. Due to the nature of their disabilities, they must frequently come to me to regroup and calm down daily. Sometimes they need physical activity to burn excess energy or elevate moods, and sometimes they need to center their energy and practice mindfulness. This project can help them do both!
My Project
I've requested the following:
Epson PowerLite S17 LCD projector , DVD HIP HOP STEPS AND ROUTINES, DVD DANCES OF 50'S 60'S 70'S AND 80'S, and DVD EASY SERIES YOGA WORKOUT TRIPACK.
These items will make it possible for my students to use movement to improve their moods! They will be able to see the DVDs using the projector, and the DVDs I've chosen will help them dance to elevate mood and use yoga when they need to center their energies.
This project has amazing potential to improve their lives.
By using movement to help stabilize their moods, they will be learning to self-regulate in addition to maintaining a healthy weight. This can also lead to improved self-esteem, social skills, and academic performance. This has the potential to help them really become physically and mentally healthy adults with solid academic foundations!
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Fazio and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.